A Short Break in the Highlands

 We have just returned from a short holiday in the Scottish Highlands.  One of the places we visited was Fort William and there we found the West Highland Museum, which is well worth a visit.  It is a small, independent museum that has displays covering archaeology, natural history, social and military history and even mountain rescue.  On the day we visited I was having some problems with my usual camera, so I had to use the basic camera on our Amazon Fire; therefore I apologise for the quality of the photographs.

This hand gun caught my eye.  I did ask the attendant if it had had a frame to hold it, similar to a medieval hand gun, but he didn't know.  In any event it looked a dangerous weapon, both to the person aimed at and the user.

A slightly larger powder weapon; a twin-barreled leather gun, which the accompanying information card says dates from the first half of the 17th century, (the wooden frame is modern).  The maker is thought to be James Wemyss (1610?-1667) who was master gunner of England under Charles I, but changed his allegiance to parliament and was captured at Cropredy Bridge in 1644. [Further information can be found in the Dictionary of National Biography].

An 18th century pipe banner for MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart.  Donald MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart fought for the Jacobite cause in the 1745 rebellion and was captured.  He was executed at Carlisle in 1746.

A poignant reminder of the uncertain times in which we live; this Hiroshima Plaque, presented to Fort William in 1968 used to be in a Peace Cairn on the Parade in Fort William.  Unfortunately it was damaged some years later.  Although repaired, a replica was replaced in the Peace Cairn and the original was taken into the care of the Highland Council.  When they moved premises the original plaque was presented to the museum. Further information can be found here

Battle of Lubar, 16th September 1660

The scenario for this week's game is based on the battle of Lubar, an episode in the 13 Years War between Poland-Lithuania and Muscovy.  There were a series of combats spread over a number of days and this scenario comes from the Tales from a Wargames Shed blog 17th Century scenarios  page (link).  It involves a Polish/Lithuanian attack on a redoubt covering the flank of the main Muscovite camp.  There are only 10 units per side which makes it ideal for an evening game.  Statistics can be found on the blog for several rulesets, including our own preferred "Pike and Shotte".

The Polish/Lithuanian force has 4 'foreign' (ie mixed pike and shot) infantry units, 2 units of pancerni and one each of reiter, hussars and dragoons; and one field gun.  The Muscovite force has 3 units of infantry, one each of streltsy, soldatski and border dragoons, plus 2 light guns and a medium gun.  For cavalry they had two units of feudal levy cavalry and two of reiter.  I don't have sufficient foreign infantry or reiter so some of my ECW collection was pressed into service to fill out the roster.

The Muscovite objective is to try and hold the redoubt and thus protect the camp.  For the Polish/Lithuanians the seizure of the redoubt is a preliminary to the main attack on the camp. The Muscovites deploy first and opted to place the border dragoons in the camp with the medium gun and the Soldatski covering the gap between the emplacement on the hill and the camp.  On their right they placed all their cavalry, leaving the streltsi and light guns to garrison the redoubt.  For the Polish/Lithuanians the infantry and medium gun were deployed to attack the redoubt, the cavalry on the right to face the Muscovite cavalry, leaving the dragoons to occupy the attention of the border dragoons.

The Border dragoons defend the camp

The Muscovite commander seized the initiative and moved his feudal levy forward, with the reiter following in support.  Not willing to cede too much ground, the Polish commander ordered his pancerni to charge the oncoming Muscovites.  One unit of pancerni routed their opponents, though at the cost of heavy casualties.  The other melee was more prolonged with both participants slugging it out.

The feudal levy

The pancerni

Meanwhile the Polish infantry had advanced (rather sluggishly it has to be admitted), toward the redoubt, their reluctance probably the result of some accurate artillery fire from the Muscovite guns, backed up by volleys from the streltsi.  One unit was forced to fall back to recover from its casualties, leaving just one to charge the redoubt.  Their attack didn't reach the ramparts, the devastating fire from the defenders routing the attackers before they could strike home.

The first attack on the redoubt is repulsed

Undaunted the Polish infantry commander launched a second attack, both units charged, but once again the defenders fire stopped them in their tracks.

The second attack also fails

On the flank, the cavalry duel continued.  The Muscovite commander brought forward his reiter and the pancerni who had driven off the feudal levy counter-charged them.  In a rather one-sided melee the pancerni were driven from the field and the Polish cavalry commander had to commit his hussars to try and stem the tide.  Perhaps over-eager, the hussars became disorganised as they charged forward and thus their impact was not as decisive as it should have been.  Against the odds, the reiter held and were then reinforced by the second regiment.

The Hussars charge the reiter

On the hussars' left, the remaining feudal cavalry had driven back the pancerni and therefore the Polish cavalry commander had to commit his reserve, the reiter to try and buy time for the pancerni to recover.  Their performance was a disappointment.  Even though the feudal cavalry received the charge at the halt, they beat off the Polish reiter, inflicting such heavy casualties that they fled the field.  Things did not improve for the Poles, as the vaunted hussars were overwhelmed by the combined efforts of both Muscovite reiter units and they joined the growing number of Polish cavalry units fleeing the field.

  

But when the reiter are reinforced, it proves too much

At least the Polish dragoons were occupying the attention of the border dragoons and also one of the foreign regiments disordered the soldatski with a volley and then advanced towards them.  A second volley routed them, opening up the flank of the redoubt.

The soldatski break

Even the attack on the redoubt was at last making progress.  The defending streltsi had been gradually whittled down by volleys from the foreign regiments and eventually they routed.  Seizing their chance one of the foreign regiments charged forward and when one of the light guns disabled itself with a final shot, they were able to take the redoubt.

The redoubt is finally taken

It counted for nothing as on the flank, the Muscovite cavalry had achieved complete control.  A final, desperate charge by the remaining pancerni regiment had checked one of the reiter regiments, but at a cost of themselves taking horrendous casualties and routing from the field.  The Poles cobbled together a flank with one foreign regiment and the gun facing the cavalry, but there was really no alternative but to retreat.  A Muscovite victory was declared.

A most enjoyable scenario where the Polish advantage in numbers was offset by the Muscovite defences.  As always there were points in the game where things could have gone differently, but we both felt we had a chance of victory.

Vapnartak 2022

 It was with some relief that we headed over to York for this year's Vapnartak.  Relief that a semblance of normality (if there is such a thing anymore) was returning, but also a lingering concern about being indoors with a large number of people.  The York club had made  a great effort to allay those concerns.  The trade stands were more spread out, covering the ground, first mezzanine and first floors, ensuring plenty of room for the visitors to circulate.  Games were on the second mezzanine and top floor.  

Steve, Bob and I put on a Lion Rampant game for the Lance & Longbow Society, it was the same as we took to Recon in December (link).  It is difficult to judge whether the balance between games and trade was the same as in previous years because of the new arrangements, but there were plenty of participation games.  During a break between games I wandered round with the camera and these are photos of some of what was on offer.

First, the Brompton Bankers with a fantasy samurai game based on Japanese folklore, where various forces are trying to defeat a dragon

Next, Grimsby Wargames Society with a WWII game, the defence of the Oosterbeek perimeter, set in the Arnhem campaign.

 

There was an Ancients game using the 'Strength and Honour' rules which used 2mm (I think) figures.  The battle was Mons Graupius.   

A close up of the units

The overview shows how the game is almost like a map exercise

The East Leeds Militaria Society Wargames Club had a colonial game based on the Kikuyu Revolt of 1902 in Kenya.

The Kings African Rifles 

The Kikuyu warriors

Returning to the realms of Fantasy, The Bunker had a game which moved the Martian invasion from 'War of the Worlds' to Prussia.  Plenty of excellent modelling on view.

Near The Bunker were the League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers with a Back of Beyond game.

We ran the game twice and had participants from the public for each one.  The rules once again proved themselves ideally suited to being played by newcomers and providing an enjoyable game.  Many thanks to Andrew, plus Eddie George and their father for joining in.  Also to Andy, Pat and Will for helping to run the game.  Dave and Lynne provided a refreshing cup of tea. 

Hobkirk's Hill, April 25th 1781; A Rebels and Patriots Scenario

 The scenario is set in the period after the battle of Guildford Courthouse and the rebel (or revolutionary?) commander Nathanael Greene has marched into the Carolinas towards the Crown supply base at Camden.  Greene camped at Hobkirk's Hill a little north of Camden.  Lord Rawdon, the commander of the Crown forces decided to attack rather than sit behind his defences, and gathering his small army embarked on a flank march through the wooded terrain.  He hoped to launch a surprise flank attack which would roll up the rebel line.

Rawdon's army was composed mainly of provincial units which have remained loyal to the king, stiffened with a single regular battalion (the 63rd), some light infantry and a section of Royal Artillery.  There is also a single unit of light dragoons (Coffin's).  Greene's force had four units of Continental infantry, two from Maryland and 2 from Virginia, plus a militia unit and two units of riflemen.  There was also a section of artillery and Washington's Light Dragoons.

Rawdon's force about to commence the attack

In our first run through the game the Crown forces suffered from a spate of low die rolls.  The rules require a score of 6 (in some cases 5) or more on two d6 to move, despite this low bar, the Crown advance was disjointed.  One unit would advance and then three or four would fail to move.  The photograph below shows the result.

The rather disjointed Crown advance

 

Sticking to his original plan, Rawdon pushed his skirmishers forward on the flanks (as quickly as his dice would let him).  On the Crown left, the skirmishers moved towards a wood occupied by a unit of rebel riflemen, intending to drive them off.  Things did not go as planned as the rebel marksmen out shot their Crown opponents and rather too quickly, the Crown skirmishers were at half strength.  A second unit of rebel skirmishers was harassing the advancing provincial units and the stuttering pace of the attack meant that the provisional units took significant casualties before they were able to engage the continental infantry.  Greene had been surprised by the Crown force appearing on his flank and was grateful that their slow advance gave him time to redeploy to meet it.  He ordered the Maryland units to swing to the left and sent Washington's Dragoons down from the ridge to threaten the flank of the Crown advance. 

The Maryland units wheel towards the Crown advance

The skirmishers deployed on the Crown right had been ordered to fire into the flank of the Maryland regiments and   'soften them up' for the main attack.  Seeing the approaching enemy cavalry, the skirmishers fired and hurried  backwards trying to evade.  They were not quick enough and were caught by the dragoons.  The melee was inevitably won by the cavalry, who followed the retreating skirmishers and drove them from the field.                                   

Washington's Dragoons make short work of the Crown skirmishers

Rawdon had sent a unit to support the skirmishers.  Their volley did inflict some casualties on the dragoons, who had reformed, facing the flank of the advancing Crown units.  The dragoons charged their aggressors and totally defeated them, routing them from the field.  Rawdon's attack was not going well.

And a provincial unit

The only ray of hope for the Crown forces was that  the dragoons were now reduced to half strength and they fell back behind the ridge, their job done.  Through all the mayhem, the 63rd Foot had been advancing on Hobkirk's Hill.  After an exchange of volleys with the 1st Maryland they charged, only to be roundly defeated in the melee.  As they fell back in disorder the 63rd were hit by volleys from both Maryland units and the artillery, their morale cracked and they also fled the field.

By now, the Virginia regiments from the rebel right flank had marched over to support the Maryland regiments and Greene felt confident enough to counter attack.  The extra firepower ground down the remaining provincial units one by one and soon over half the Crown army had fled.  This left Rawdon little choice but to retreat with the remains of his force and hope he had sufficient troops to defend Camden.

After this rather one-sided affair, we reset the scenario and went for lunch.  On our return we swapped sides and tried again.   On this second attempt the Crown forces fared much better (things tend to even out).  The advance was much more organised  and the skirmishers on the flanks more than held their own.  Washington's Dragoons again moved to the left, but fared less well than before.  The fire from the Crown skirmishers was much more effective and the dragoons twice failed to charge their tormentors.  Reduced to half strength, the dragoons pulled back, failed to rally and fled the field, leaving the way open for the Crown skirmishers to push forward. 

A more organised Crown advance

As before Greene pulled his right flank units across to counter the Crown advance, but this time they were needed to help the Maryland units hold the hill, rather than support an attack.

The Rebel right moves to reinforce the left

With the 63rd to the fore, the Crown forces began to move onto the hill. All along the line the leading Crown units would fire a volley, the supporting line would pass through and fire a volley and then the process was repeated.  The pressure on the rebel units was intense.

The Crown forces move onto Hobkirk's Hill

One by one the rebel units had to fall back and as they did so, the Crown forces advanced maintaining the pressure.  Inevitably one unit failed to rally and routed.

One of the Continental units routs

At close of play the result was obvious, a victory for the Crown forces.

The end of the game - the Crown forces continue to push the Rebels back

Steve set up the scenario using the article in issue 78 of Wargames , Soldiers and Strategy. and adapted it for our in house version of the Rebels and Patriots rules written by Michael Leck and Dan Mersey  and published by Osprey.  One point from the above narrative, rolling low dice when attempting to rally

units is not recommended; it the reason so many Crown units fled the field in the first game.  Nevertheless, on the day both armies gained a victory, the players enjoyed the game so the scenario must be rated a success.

Last train to Handub; a reprise. A Black Powder scenario

 A good number of years ago,  almost 11, in fact, Alasdair set up a scenario for the Sudan called 'Last train to Handub'.   Over the years it has become the most viewed post on the blog (link).  Just prior to Christmas Steve set up his version of the scenario for Bob and myself to play.  To set the scene, the village of Handub is the current rail head of the Suakin-Berber railway, a scheme to provide an alternative supply route for the Imperial troops in Sudan, avoiding the many cataracts on the Nile.

The battlefield, Handub in the centre and the railway heading eastwards back to Suakin

The village of Handub, with the vital well.

In Handub are three detachments of British infantry, from the Royal Kelhamshire, Borsetshire and Cromarty Highlanders, supported by a field gun and a gatling gun crewed by Royal Navy ratings.  These are all under the command of Captain Hector Brandon.  To the east of the village are two cavalry units under the command of Captain Winstanley Neville, found from the Rutlandshire Hussars and Princess Marie's Lancers.  Major Albert Wren is in overall command.  Over the last couple of days cavalry patrols have found evidence of enemy forces in the area, but there have been no sightings.  Concerned that the village may be attacked in force, Wren has requested reinforcements and a troop train is expected in the next two days.  For now, he has placed a detachment of infantry in three of the four buildings and deployed the Gatling gun to cover the western side of the village.  The field gun is on the southern face, as this is where the main evidence for the presence of enemy forces was found. 

The Royal Naval Gatling gun detachment, perhaps discussing the rum situation?

Major Wren (on white horse) tours the village.  In the background, Captain Brandon checks the ammunition supply  

The Imperial forces deployed at Handub

Just after dawn, a sentry on the south-western house of Handub sounded the alarm, a mass of Dervish warriors were approaching.  The Dervish were an infantry force commanded by Abu Bakr, comprisinf a unit of riflemen, a mixed unit, two melee units and a field gun.  His orders from Emir Khat were to attack with vigour and draw the defenders to the western edge of Handub.  Emir Khat would attack with the rest of his force once the Imperial troops were fully engaged.  For his part Abu Bakr had decided to place his riflemen in some broken ground where they could fire at the Royal Kelhamshires who held the building on the southwest corner of Handub.  The field gun would deploy to the north and fire on the same building before the main attack would be launched by the melee infantry. Unfortunately, once the tribesmen spotted the Imperial troops they charged forward, carrying the riflemen with them.  Forgetting their orders, the riflemen charged towards the house held by the Royal Kelhamshires and into a hail of fire.  The Gatling joined in and the Dervish riflemen shrank from the fire.  Their ardour cooled and all order lost they fell back into the broken ground where Abu Bakr did his best to rally them.

Abu Bakr's men surge forward

In the village, the rapidly approaching mass of Dervishes had convinced Captain Brandon that he needed to move the Imperial artillery to support the Gatling crew and also the Borsetshires.  He galloped over to Major Wren and put his case.  "It is obvious that the enemy have moved round us during the night" he said.  "It is vital that they don't break into the village, we need more firepower on the western edge".  Wren had had many years of experience in India before his posting to the Sudan and was wary of 'putting all his eggs in one basket'.  "You can move the artillery, but the Borsetshires remain where they are".  Brandon galloped off to the artillery and ordered them to move to the west, then, looking over his shoulder, he saw a welcome plume of smoke, the train bringing reinforcements was almost there.

The train bringing the infantry reinforcements approaches Handub

The arrival of the train was not welcomed by Emir Khat, he had hoped to eliminate the village garrison before any help arrived.  New orders were sent to Abu Fahr, who commanded the second infantry force.  He had originally been ordered to attack the north eastern corner of the village, held by the Borsetshires, now he was to attack the train.  Emir Khat then noticed that some of the enemy cavalry were moving, Princess Marie's Lancers were making their way round the southern side of Handub to attack Abu Bakr in flank.  Turning to Khalifa Abaid, who commanded the cavalry, he ordered his to attack the lancers.

On the western face of Handub, the Dervish attack struck home.  Ignoring losses from the Gatling, one unit of Dervish overran the gun, butchering the crew.  There blood up, they continued eastwards  straight into the field gun, which managed one hurried shot before it too was overrun.  Even worse, the ammunition mules had been with the gun and they were captured and taken away.

The Gatling is overrun

Captain Neville had been ordered by Wren to swing round Handub to the south to attack the Dervich in flank.  Leaving the Hussars to guard the northern side of Handub, Neville set off, but quickly struck some soft sand which slowed his progress.  The same seemed to be happening to the Dervish cavalry, which was moving much slower than was usually the case.  This applied particularly to Emair Khat's own regiment which seemed reluctant to attack.

As the train neared Handub, the driver could see masses of Dervish troops surging through the village towards him.  Applying the brake, he brought the train to a halt just outside the village and then saw more Dervish charging towards him from the north.  These were the troops of Abu Fahr.  The train had a field gun at the front of the engine and a Gatling at the rear behind the trucks carrying the Galway Irish.  The field gun could fire at the Dervish in Handub, but the gatling would need to be re-deployed to fire at Abu Fahr's men.  As the Dervish charged towards the train, the Borsetshires fired into their flank, but undaunted the Dervish continued their advance.  The young officer commanding the Hussars ordered a charge and the two forces crashed together.  At first, the Dervish held their own, but gradually the pressure increased and finally they routed.  On their part, the Hussars were too battered to pursue and they began to reform.

Abu Fahr's first attack is repulsed

The Hussars had not yet finished their day's fighting.  As they reformed, they were charged by another unit of Dervish infantry.  They held the initial charge, but as they fought for their lives, they were hit in the rear by Dervish cavalry.  Khalifa Abaid had ordered on of his units to attack the Hussars.  They had galloped across the tracks in front of the train.  They artillery on the train had attempted to fire as they passed, but there was some malfunction and the fate of the Hussars was sealed.  Caught at such a disadvantage the Imperial cavalry were almost wiped out, only a few managed to reach the cover afforded by the wagons on the train.

The end of the Rutland Hussars

Neville was faring better with the Lancers.  Having evaded the Dervish cavalry and found solid ground he swept down on Abu Bakr's reserve infantry.  The Lancers dealt swiftly with the infantry, though at some cost and carried on to overrun the Dervish artillery, which had yet to find a place to deploy.  Reining in to rally, Neville was dismayed to see Dervish cavalry charging towards him.  In a close fought melee, it was the fresher Dervish cavalry which prevailed and the Lancers were forced back.  The Dervish cavalry followed up and the Lancers were scattered, disappearing into the desert.

The Lancers dispose of a unit of Dervish

In the village, Abu Bakr's men were now tackling the houses holding the Imperial infantry.  The unit which had overrun the Gatling and artillery was now storming the house held by the Cromarty Highlanders.  Other units were attacking the Royal Kelhamshires and the Borsetshires.  These units fought stubbornly, denying the Dervish any entry.  The Highlanders were less fortunate.  Their commander was severely wounded by a spear causing a temporary loss of cohesion.  Seizing their chance the Dervish forced their way into the building and the Highlanders tumbled out  into the desert.

The Royal Kelhamshires under attack

On the southern side of Handub, Emir Khat had seen the Highlanders spilling out of the village.  This was a golden opportunity to wipe out an enemy unit.  Turning to his men he ordered them to charge; not a man moved. Stunned by their inaction, Emir Khat took time to regain enough composure to order a charge a second time.  This time his men obeyed, but the Highlanders had reformed.  Deteermined to regain their pride the Highlanders had charged the Dervish who had evicted them.  Even the impact of Emir Khat's cavalry didn't deter them from forcing their infantry opponents to rout.  One enemy disposed of, the Highlanders tuned and doled out the same medicine to the cavalry.  Firing into the retreating cavalry, they then resumed their occupation of Handub.

Emir Khat's cavalry are driven off

In the village, the stout defence by the Royal Kelhamshires and the Borsetshires had inflicted heavy casualties on their Dervish opponents.  When these units saw their comrades routing down the tracks towards the west they decided that perhaps it would be best to pull back too.  Abu Bakr's force had done all it could.

Abu Fahr meanwhile was still fighting at the train.  The Galway Irish had surprisingly de-trained and formed up to face the onrushing Dervishes.  A close range volley had slowed but not stopped them and a fierce melee now took place.  At times it seemed the Irish were doomed, but eventually it was the Dervish troops which gave way and fled back over the dunes.  The Gatling crew at the rear of the train had been attacked, but the accurate fire they had laid down dampened the Dervish's enthusiasm to attack enough to enable them to withstand the initial impact.  However, the unequal struggle could not last and soon the crew were wiped out, but the Dervish infantry needed time to reform.  At the front of the train an attack on the field gun never happened.  Each time the Dervishes advanced, accurate fire from the Borsetshires stopped them.  Like his fellow commander, Abu Fahr decided he had done all he could and recalled his battered units.

The Irish stand firm

As the Dervish forces fell back into the desert, Wren looked round Handub.  He had held the village and casualties had been relatively light; but he was concerned about his ammunition supply and lack of cavalry for reconnaissance.  He ordered the Irish to garrison the north west corner of Handub and sent the wounded back on the train, together with his request for more ammunition and cavalry.

As for Emir Khat, he praised the efforts of Abu Bakr and Abu Fahr, whose men had fought well.  He was less pleased with Khalifa Abaid and the cavalry.

Many thanks to Steve for setting up the scenario and to Bob for being such a congenial opponent.